(11/16) MineralAreaCollege Announces Three Player Commitments
The NCAA early signing period was newsworthy in Park Hills, Missouri. The #19 Cardinals are off to a 4-0 start to the season, and three players signed National Letters of Intent for the 2006 season. Curtis Muse and Johnathan Jackson have inked with NCAA Division I University of North Texas, while T.J. Britton has signed with NCAA Division II Missouri Southern State University.
Curtis Muse is a 6’10” center from St. Louis, Missouri. Muse won a Missouri State Championship in 2004 at VashonHigh School before coming to MAC. He averaged 8.3 points and 4.8 rebounds a game last season as a stand-out freshman at Mineral Area. Curtis chose North Texas after receiving interest from Missouri, Oklahoma, UNLV, Wyoming, Southeast Missouri, and several other DI universities.
Johnathan Jackson, a 6’8” power forward from Portland, Oregon, came to Mineral Area after a red-shirt season at EasternWashingtonUniversity. Jackson averaged 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds a game last season for the Cards after joining the line-up in the second semester. J.J. is currently recovering from a knee injury and will be a welcome addition to the rotation in the next few weeks. Jackson is excited to commit to North Texas after considering Utah State, Texas-San Antonio and several others.
Terry “T.J.” Britton has been on a winding journey since graduating from Poplar BluffHigh School (Poplar Bluff, MO). He spent a season running junior college track at Florissant Valley CC (St. Louis, MO) before slipping into a Cardinal uniform last season. T.J. spent an injury riddled season running the point in 2004-05 averaging 4.2 points, 3.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds a game. He has made a fast transition to the forward position this season averaging over 10 points and 7.7 rebound a game. T.J. has signed with NCAA DII Missouri Southern State University.
Muse and Jackson will remain team-mates for two more seasons by signing together at the University of North Texas. The Mean Green compete in the Sun Belt Conference, and have a “top 30 recruiting class” as ranked by Hoop Scoop with the early signing of MAC’s dynamic post duo. UNT is located in Denton, Texas, and is coached by Johnny Jones (5th season at UNT).
Britton should make an impact for the Lions from Missouri Southern next season. He is a versatile athlete that can play four positions. Britton chose Missouri Southern because of location and stability with Head Coach Robert Corn’s 17th season at the school. MSSU is a NCAA Division II affiliate located in Joplin, Missouri.